THE CAVE BY THE BEECH FORK
A Story of Kentucky—1815
BY HENRY S. SPALDING, S.J.
New York, Cincinnati, Chicago
BENZIGER BROTHERS
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1901
"He drew his revolvers and stepped quickly toward the twomen."
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. A Day's Hunt Along the Beech Fork
CHAPTER II. Owen and Martin Visit the Cave
CHAPTER III. In Which Owen and Martin Learn More About the Wonderful Cave
CHAPTER IV. The Howards
CHAPTER V. Owen and Martin Meet Old Friends, and Owen Shows How He Can Use a Rifle
CHAPTER VI. A Visit from Father Byrne
CHAPTER VII. Mr. Howard Is Surprised by a Visitor—Owen Hears of the Great Shooting-Match
CHAPTER VIII. Happy Days
CHAPTER IX. The Practice
CHAPTER X. The Eventful Day
CHAPTER XI. David and Goliath
CHAPTER XII. Killing Goliath With His Own Sword
CHAPTER XIII. Bertha Hears the News of Victory
CHAPTER XIV. Brother and Sister
CHAPTER XV. Around the Fireplace
CHAPTER XVI. On the Trail of the Runaway Slave
CHAPTER XVII. Carrying the News
CHAPTER XVIII. Saving the Message
CHAPTER XIX. The Tinker Disturbs the Inmates of the Cave
CHAPTER XX. A Day's Sport Along the Beech Fork
CHAPTER XXI. Mr. Lane Has a Difficulty
CHAPTER XXII. Mr. Lane Finds a Solution to His Difficulty
CHAPTER XXIII. The Mark on Stayford's Pistol
CHAPTER XXIV. Tom the Tinker
CHAPTER XXV. Off to the Cave
CHAPTER XXVI. Sealed Forever
The Cave by the Beech Fork.
CHAPTER I.
A DAY'S HUNT ALONG THE BEECH FORK.
"No wonder this river is called the Beech Fork," said Owen, as he restedhis trusty rifle by his side and pointed toward the thickly-clusteredbeech-trees, which skirted the banks of a small stream.
"See, too, how close they are to the water's edge; they have taken theplace of the sycamore and willow," said his companion, Martin Cooper, atthe same time seating himself upon the trunk of a fallen tree andlooking in the direction indicated.
"But do you notice anything peculiar about those beech-trees?" askedOwen.
"Yes; they have long, slender branches."
"And the leaves—see how green they are, while the others are beginningto fade."
Beautiful, indeed, was th